Friday, June 29, 2007

From a figure competitors blog...

This is a very good read and worth sharing.

Im often asked how I do it. How I am able to stay on track despite challenges I face and the busy schedule I endure. I want to share with you all that I have learned from my journeys, so that you too, can be successful! Don’t be mistaken, I am not writing about a magic diet, ultimate training program or a secret pill. I want to talk to YOU about the psychological side of reaching your ultimate goals.

To reach your goals, first you must firmly establish what your goal is. Define it, be detailed and dig deep within yourself. If there were no obstacles in your way, what do you want to achieve? Take a moment; clearly decide what your goal is. By thoroughly defining why those goals are important to you, the more likely you will succeed. Don’t generalize to say just gain muscle, lower body fat, eat healthier, etc. Where, how much, by when? Goals are very specific things you have decided to accomplish; they can be measured, which allow you to know that you’ve achieved them.

Now ask yourself what it is that you need to do to reach your goal. Is it getting up earlier to make it to the gym? Cooking food ahead of time? Carrying a portable cooler with you? Getting to bed earlier? Hiring a coach? Open your eyes; you set a goal because you are not where you want to be. Whatever you are doing now, whether it’s your diet, your training or your mindset, has not worked. CHANGE! You must change and be receptive to it; be willing to step beyond your normal means. Wait, did I say change? Stop! Don’t go back and start adjusting your initial goal yet. Set a solid, clear plan of action and stick to it. If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.

What are your values? Real, genuine values are the foundation for success. Not just for fitness and health but everything in life. They never fail, and are the basis of the outcome - if you reach your goals or you fail. Values are the disciplines in life you set for yourself; they come from habits that form your lifestyle. Your lifestyle defines your character, which becomes your destiny.

This brings me to my next section - your character. It’s the product of your values. A person who reaches the goals they set for themselves, who dares to dream and accomplishes them, has a strong value system. At the top is integrity. It’s about being honest with yourself and doing what you have to every step of the way, 100%, regardless of the struggles you may face. Integrity is thinking every step through and putting up what is required of you – the obligation to stay on the path, the plan outlined to reach your goals. Intent is NOT the same. You have to work for what you want. Success is earning it, not just owning it. There is no value in your accomplishments if you didn’t have to work hard and make sacrifices.

Are you committed to reaching your goals? Not just trying, adhering to your plan for a while, but 100% effort and full concentration to what you clearly defined when you set your goals. Often times, the more committed you are, the more you sacrifice, the more inconveniences you will face and more often your perseverance is tested. But when a successful person clearly commits to their goals, it provides the determination and strength to do the unbearable. To CHANGE! Your commitment allows you to push past those hard times, and when you don’t think that you can give it anymore, you dig deeper, and push past those barriers. You will never succeed if you are not willing to change, to grow in character and prove yourself. NOTHING in life comes just because you want it! Failure is a lack of commitment. Press on! Nothing can take the place of hard work and perseverance.

Lastly, you must make your goals a clear vision of what you desire to accomplish. Start each day as a fresh opportunity to prove to yourself you are strong, you are capable to change and you have a visual image of your goals. Believe in them! Vision, coupled with a strong foundation of values is the key to success. You achieve what you see. Without a daily vision, you will stumble and wander aimlessly away from where you want to be. People who successfully reach their goals know what the future can hold, what they want and what they have to do to get there. They don’t give up. They take the obstacles they face, grow from them by being better than they used to be; not being better than someone else.

The journey to success is not easy for anyone, but I promise you that when you take the proper steps, build a solid foundation within your character, it will make the road to success more rewarding! Remember your success is giving others around you hope that they too, have the power to change!

So what do you want? Go ahead, define it! Don’t put it off for another day. Your future depends on it!

2 comments:

Barbara said...

Tracy,

I am going to copy and print this out for myself. It's a fantastic post and thank you so much for sharing this with others.

Have a great weekend!

Barbara

C2 said...

Tracy ~

Sometimes it is difficult to be honest with ourselves and to write down what we really want to accomplish because of our own fears. But what is rewarding and fulfilling is watching those goals and dreams come true once we start working towards them! All it takes is dedication and commitment and sticking to our self promises! :)

Great post! Thanks!

~ Elizabeth